The Washington critic., 1887-11-19
WASHINGTON, NOV. 10, 1887.
OUR WESTERN WATERWAYS.

II Is TO be hoped that the President,
in his forthcoming message, will not
ignore the subject of the improvement
Of our Western waterways. The fact
that owing to imperfect methods, bad
management and other causes, much
money has been expended to appar-
emily little purpose in that direction,
should not be permitted to obscure the
fact that some highly desirable results
have been accomplished, or the greater
fact that Ia the opinion of eminent en-.
gincers a system Of permanent improve.
ment is possible, which would prove
an immense benefnclOn to the country.
II is suggested by the New Orleans
Times Democrat that the chairman of
the Committee on the Improvement of
Western Waterways, appointed at the
recent Memphis convention, should
personally lny before the President the
reasons which demand liberal legisla-
tive action on this subject, and modify,
If necessary, any doubts which Mr..
Cleveland may entertain as to the
eXrediency of such action.
The latter will, of course, be governed
In the matter by broad and patriotic
considerations, based upon the best
info rmation at his command, but II Is
not likely that he stands much in need
of argument to convince him that If
any plan be determined upon whereby
10 effectually improve the navigation
ofthe Mississippi and Missouri, without
permitting the work Of one year to be
undone by the neglect Of the next, or
allowing operations that should be con-
Quoted under the immediate eye of the
Government to pass virtually out of Its
sight or control, such plan deserves the
early attention of Congress and his
own approval.
In order TO insure the passage of
proper appropriations, however, they
should be made specific and be specific
ally acted on. The principle of an
omnibus bill is bad and ought to be
discarded. 1t Is not fair to meritorlous
Interests, for which Congress might
consistently make prompt and generous
provision, that they should be leopard
lied as they have been In the past, by
the Incorporation In one general meas
ure of underserving schemes, not na-
tIonal, but purely local in their charac.
ter, and In many cases little more than
speculative jobs.
To lose river aud harbor bill en-.
tire, because of few items that should
have no place in 1t, is public misfor.
tune, and 1t is high time that Congress
adopted some method of dealing with
river improvements whereby to save
such as are of urgent Importance from
being endangered by preiudicial asso-
Citations, or else to place in the hands
of the President some power of dis
elimination as TO what he shall or shall
not approve.
1t is not essential that Mr.. Cleveland
should recommend or commit himself
TO any particular policy or project re.
garding channels or levees or outlets
these being matters for Congress to
discuss and determine--but some gen.
eral pronoupcement from the President
In favor of improving the Mississippi
and It's navigable tributaries, as aux
illaries to the commerce of continent
would not only commend him to tht
grateful appreciation of the West, bu
be an assurance to the country that thu
Administration understands the i'm
portance of the interests involved an,
will be glad to indorse any reasonabl
and practicable measure to promot
them which Congress may adopt.